1995 Mariners: Where are they now?

November 10, 2011 3:26 PM

Photo: Gilbert W. Arias/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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Joey Cora

Then –
A veteran second baseman heading into his eighth season, Cora signed
with the Mariners in 1995 and enjoyed one of his more productive seasons
at the plate, collecting a .297 batting average along with 64 runs and
18 stolen bases in 120 games. Cora was the tying run during the famous
ALDS game 5 11th inning double hit by Edgar Martinez. less

Joey Cora

Then – A veteran second baseman heading into his eighth season, Cora signed with the Mariners in 1995 and enjoyed one of his more productive seasons at the plate, collecting a .297 batting ... more

Now - Hired by the Chicago White Sox in 2003 and promoted to bench coach in
2006, Cora was dismissed from the team on Sept. 27, 2011, after initial
speculation that he’d become interim manager following the release of
Ozzie Guillen. less

Joey Cora

Now - Hired by the Chicago White Sox in 2003 and promoted to bench coach in 2006, Cora was dismissed from the team on Sept. 27, 2011, after initial speculation that he’d become interim manager ... more

Then – Sojo started a total of 94 games for the M’s in 1995, alternating between second base, shortstop and left field. Sojo’s defense made up for his lack of offense, as he helped turn 40 double plays, produced a .976 fielding percentage, and contributed 221 assists -- second most behind fellow infielder, Joey Cora.

Then – Sojo started a total of 94 games for the M’s in 1995, alternating between second base, shortstop and left field. Sojo’s defense made up for his lack of offense, as he helped turn 40 double ... more

Photo: / Associated Press

Luis Sojo Then – Sojo started a total of 94 games for the... Photo-631550.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Luis Sojo

Now – After retiring a Yankee in
2003, Sojo spent two seasons as third base coach for New York, after
which he was hired to manage the Yankees' Class A Advanced affiliate –
Tampa Yankees. During the 2006 and 2009 Word Baseball Classic, Sojo
served as manager for the Venezuelan national team. less

Luis Sojo

Now – After retiring a Yankee in 2003, Sojo spent two seasons as third base coach for New York, after which he was hired to manage the Yankees' Class A Advanced affiliate – Tampa Yankees. ... more

Then – Having pitched three seasons as a reliever for Seattle, Nelson, known for his wicked slider, posted career lows in ERA (2.17), WHIP (1.081) and strikeouts per nine innings (11) during the 1995 season. He pitched in 62 games and posted a 7-3 record.

Then – Having pitched three seasons as a reliever for Seattle, Nelson, known for his wicked slider, posted career lows in ERA (2.17), WHIP (1.081) and strikeouts per nine innings (11) during the ... more

Photo: Gilbert W. Arias, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Jeff Nelson Then – Having pitched three seasons as a... Photo-645608.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Jeff Nelson

Now – Nelson finished his career in 2006 with the Cardinals. He has joined the
sports broadcast ranks since retiring in 2007. Besides his current job
as an MLB.com analyst covering postseason baseball, Nelson also
frequently appears on Seattle sports radio KJR-AM. less

Jeff Nelson

Now – Nelson finished his career in 2006 with the Cardinals. He has joined the sports broadcast ranks since retiring in 2007. Besides his current job as an MLB.com analyst covering postseason ... more

Then – Having had a relatively quiet career with Mariners through 1994, Martinez broke out offensively in 1995. The first baseman played in 141 games, led the team in at-bats with 519, blasted 31 home runs and collected 111 RBIs on his way to being named to the American League All-Star team. less

Tino Martinez

Then – Having had a relatively quiet career with Mariners through 1994, Martinez broke out offensively in 1995. The first baseman played in 141 games, led the team in at-bats with 519, blasted 31 ... more

Photo: Michael Moore, AFP/Getty Images

Tino Martinez Then – Having had a relatively quiet career... Photo-1229635.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Tino Martinez

Now – In 2008, Martinez was
named special assistant to the general manager for the New York Yankees
after serving as a defensive skills special instructor for first basemen
with the team. Martinez also spent a portion of the 2010 season as a
color commentary for the Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network. less

Tino Martinez

Now – In 2008, Martinez was named special assistant to the general manager for the New York Yankees after serving as a defensive skills special instructor for first basemen with the team. ... more

Then – “The Big Unit” as he was so aptly nicknamed, the 6-foot-10 Johnson pitched his best season to date in 1995. Johnson amassed an incredible 18-2 record, 294 strikeouts and 2.48 ERA, narrowly missing baseball’s triple crown for pitchers, but capturing the Cy Young Award. Two of his most important games came against the Angels in a one-game playoff to decide the AL West and in a surprise relief appearance against the Yankees in game 5 of the ALDS.

Then – “The Big Unit” as he was so aptly nicknamed, the 6-foot-10 Johnson pitched his best season to date in 1995. Johnson amassed an incredible 18-2 record, 294 strikeouts and 2.48 ERA, ... more

Photo: Gilbert W. Arias, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Randy Johnson Then – “The Big Unit” as he was so aptly... Photo-793201.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Randy Johnson

Now– Johnson finally called
it quits in 2010 after 22 years, five Cy Young Awards and a World
Series title. Since then he has tried to stay out of the baseball
limelight, with the exception of a reunion with the Diamondbacks to
celebrate the 2001 World Series championship team. He currently resides
with his wife and kids in Paradise Valley, Ariz. less

Randy Johnson

Now – Johnson finally called it quits in 2010 after 22 years, five Cy Young Awards and a World Series title. Since then he has tried to stay out of the baseball limelight, with the ... more

Then – A seasoned veteran at the DH position, Martinez was heading into his ninth season with the Mariners in 1995. The year would prove to be one of his best. Martinez would finish the season leading the team in games played (145), hits (182), batting average (.356), on-base percentage (.479) and slugging (.628). He finished with 29 home runs and 113 RBIs, none more memorable than his two-run double to left in the 11th inning to clinch the ALDS for the Mariners.

Then – A seasoned veteran at the DH position, Martinez was heading into his ninth season with the Mariners in 1995. The year would prove to be one of his best. Martinez would finish the season ... more

Now – Martinez has stayed busy
since retiring in 2004, having co-founded Plaza Bank in 2005, and more
recently selling his embroidery business, Branded Solutions by Edgar
Martinez, to Image Source in 2010. His humanitarian efforts have also not gone
unnoticed, when in June 2007 he was inducted into the World Sports
Humanitarian Hall of Fame. less

Edgar Martinez

Now – Martinez has stayed busy since retiring in 2004, having co-founded Plaza Bank in 2005, and more recently selling his embroidery business, Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez, to ... more

Then – A fourth-year catcher out of the University of Minnesota at the time, Wilson had one of his better seasons at the plate in 1995, averaging .278 to go along with an on-base percentage of .336, 111 hits and 51 RBIs. His .995 fielding percentage was tops among position players for the team that year.

Then – A fourth-year catcher out of the University of Minnesota at the time, Wilson had one of his better seasons at the plate in 1995, averaging .278 to go along with an on-base percentage of .336, ... more

Photo: Gilbert W. Arias, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Dan Wilson Then – A fourth-year catcher out of the... Photo-822986.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Dan Wilson

Now– Wilson, right, at the Dave Niehaus memorial, has remained in Seattle and has stayed in touch with the
Mariners organization since retiring in 2005. He has appeared alongside
Rick Rizzs as a color commentator for Root Sports and most recently as a
representative for the Mariners at the 2011 First-Year Player Draft in
Secaucus, N.J. less

Dan Wilson

Now– Wilson, right, at the Dave Niehaus memorial, has remained in Seattle and has stayed in touch with the Mariners organization since retiring in 2005. He has appeared alongside Rick Rizzs as a ... more

Then – Nicknamed “Bone,” Buhner provided the Mariners with a glove in right field and a power bat at the plate in 1995. Although he averaged just .262 and tallied 120 strikeouts (second most on the team), Buhner’s team leading 40 long balls and 121 RBIs proved invaluable as Seattle needed every run to top the Angels for the AL West title.

Then – Nicknamed “Bone,” Buhner provided the Mariners with a glove in right field and a power bat at the plate in 1995. Although he averaged just .262 and tallied 120 strikeouts (second most on ... more

Now – Buhner has remained
relatively quiet since retiring in 2001. In 2004 Seattle inducted Bone
into the Mariners Hall of Fame. Buhner can also be heard on Root Sports,
where he, along with former Mariner Dan Wilson, guest commentates
alongside Rick Rizzs. less

Jay Buhner

Now – Buhner has remained relatively quiet since retiring in 2001. In 2004 Seattle inducted Bone into the Mariners Hall of Fame. Buhner can also be heard on Root Sports, where he, along with ... more

Then – the 32-year-old reliever -- later nicknamed “The Sheriff” by Dave Niehaus -- joined the M’s midway through the 1995 season after being released by the Cincinnati Reds. Charlton took over the closer role from Bobby Ayala and collected 14 saves along the way. He finished the season with a team-best 1.51 ERA and 0.818 WHIP, giving up only 23 hits and two home runs to the 182 batters he faced.

Now – Charlton retired in 2001
and after spending six years away from the game was hired to be the
bullpen coach by the Mariners in October 2007. He held that position
thru the 2008 season. These days Charlton can be found fishing near his
home in Rockport, Texas. less

Norm Charlton

Now – Charlton retired in 2001 and after spending six years away from the game was hired to be the bullpen coach by the Mariners in October 2007. He held that position thru the 2008 season. ... more

Then
– Already a five time All-Star and gold glove winner by 1995, Griffey
was poised to have another standout season in center field, but a broken
wrist in June would sideline him for almost half the season. Still,
Junior managed to finish the season with 17 home runs and 42 RBIs, to go
along with a sixth straight gold glove and All-Star appearance. But of
course it was his game-winning run against the Yankees in the ALDS that
everyone remembers.

Now – After 22 years in the bigs and stops in Cincinnati and Chicago, Griffey retired a Mariner in 2010. In February 2011, the Mariners hired Griffey to be a special consultant. Junior has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors including starting the Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation. less

Ken Griffey Jr.

Now – After 22 years in the bigs and stops in Cincinnati and Chicago, Griffey retired a Mariner in 2010. In February 2011, the Mariners hired Griffey to be a special consultant. Junior has ... more

Photo: Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Ken Griffey Jr. Now – After 22 years in the bigs and stops... Photo-1842007.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Chris Bosio

Then – The veteran right-hander entered the 1995 having won just four games in 1994. Although his stats were far from impressive, Bosio’s leadership, team-high 31 starts and 10 wins (second most behind Johnson) proved invaluable in helping the team to the AL West pennant. less

Chris Bosio

Then – The veteran right-hander entered the 1995 having won just four games in 1994. Although his stats were far from impressive, Bosio’s leadership, team-high 31 starts and 10 wins (second most ... more

Now
– Bosio has been coaching steadily since retiring in 1996, having
served as pitching coach in the Mariners, Rays and Brewers
organizations. In October 2009 he was named Major League advanced scout
for Milwaukee, and currently serves as the pitching coach for the
Nashville Sounds – Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate. less

Chris Bosio

Now – Bosio has been coaching steadily since retiring in 1996, having served as pitching coach in the Mariners, Rays and Brewers organizations. In October 2009 he was named Major League ... more

Then – Entering his fourth season with the Mariners (seventh in the bigs), Blowers filled the void at third base and did so consistently, appearing in 134 total games, third most on the team in 1995. In addition to his defense, Blowers added 23 home runs and knocked in 96 runs.

Now – After spending four years as a baseball analyst for KOMO 1000 News, Blowers joined Root Sports Northwest (formerly FSN) in 2007 as a TV and radio commentator. He continues to work alongside Dave Sims as a color commentator for the Mariners. less

Mike Blowers

Then – Entering his fourth season with the Mariners (seventh in the bigs), Blowers filled the void at third base and did so consistently, appearing in 134 total games, third most on the team in ... more

Mike Blowers Then – Entering his fourth season with the... Photo-1744710.32015 - seattlepi.com

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Bobby Ayala

Then – The Mariners closer at the beginning of the 1995 season, Ayala labored throughout the year and eventually lost his role after the Mariners signed Norm Charlton. Despite his struggles from the mound, Ayala finished the season with a team high 19 saves and 63 games pitched.

Now – Ayala currently serves as a special consultant for the Mariners, a position that surprised many after team President Chuck Armstrong made the announcement back in February. Ayala also spent the 2011 season manning a Safeco Field Auntie Em’s Pretzel stand during home games. less

Bobby Ayala

Then – The Mariners closer at the beginning of the 1995 season, Ayala labored throughout the year and eventually lost his role after the Mariners signed Norm Charlton. Despite his struggles from ... more